Glove donning system

ABSTRACT

A glove donning system including glove assemblies is provided that maintains the cleanliness of a glove until the glove is utilized. In addition, the glove donning system assists a user during a donning process thereby preventing contamination of the glove during the donning process.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/379,995 entitled “GLOVE DONNING SYSTEM” filed on Dec. 15,2016 and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.No. 62/268,823 entitled “GLOVE DONNING APPARATUS” filed on Dec. 17,2015, the entireties of which are herein incorporated by reference.

ORIGIN

The innovation disclosed herein relates to a glove donning system and aglove packaging assembly.

BACKGROUND

Disposable gloves have been utilized in the health care industry,scientific industry and elsewhere for many years. In health care, theuse of gloves by a heath care provider protects the health care providerfrom possible contamination resulting from handling a patient. Inaddition, a glove that is clean on the outside protects a patient fromcontaminants that may reside on the hands of the health care provider.In any contamination-sensitive usage, special precautions must be takento insure that the user does not contaminate the gloves as they arebeing donned and that other stored gloves are not contaminated ortouched by the user.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basicunderstanding of some aspects of the innovation. This summary is not anextensive overview of the innovation. It is not intended to identifykey/critical elements or to delineate the scope of the innovation. Itssole purpose is to present some concepts of the innovation in asimplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that ispresented later.

In an aspect of the innovation, it is desirable to provide a glovedonning system that overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages andmaintains the cleanliness of the glove until it is utilized. Assisting auser in donning the gloves prevents contamination of the glove duringdonning.

In another aspect of the innovation, a glove donning system includes ahousing having a glove dispensing opening, multiple gloves on gloveinsert cards arranged on a conveyance track such that a single glove isadvanced by a pair of front-to-back glider assemblies toward the glovedispensing opening, and that a pair of grabber assemblies disposed oneither side of the housing captures, cuffs, and expands the opening ofthe glove to facilitate the insertion of a user's hand into the glove.

In another aspect of the innovation, a glove container is disclosed thatincludes a glove box including a base and a lid, a plurality of gloveassemblies housed in the base, and a glove assembly alignment fixturethat aligns the plurality of glove assemblies in the base.

In still another aspect of the innovation, a glove packaging system isdisclosed that includes a plurality of glove assemblies including aglove and a glove insert card and a glove container that houses theplurality of glove assemblies.

To accomplish the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrativeaspects of the innovation are described herein in connection with thefollowing description and the annexed drawings. These aspects areindicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which theprinciples of the innovation can be employed and the subject innovationis intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Otheradvantages and novel features of the innovation will become apparentfrom the following detailed description of the innovation whenconsidered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate various systems, methods, andother embodiments of the disclosure. Illustrated element boundaries(e.g., boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures representone example of the boundaries. In some examples, one element may bedesigned as multiple elements or multiple elements may be designed asone element. In some examples, an element shown as an internal componentof another element may be implemented as an external component and viceversa.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the glove donning system in accordancewith an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the glovedonning system illustrating a multiple dispensing capability inaccordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 2A is a side view of the glove donning system in accordance with anaspect of the innovation.

FIG. 2B is an alternate embodiment of the glove donning system with adrawer in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 2C is a perspective view of the glove donning system in accordancewith an aspect of the innovation.

FIGS. 3A-3E are side views illustrating the maintenance door openingsequence in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are side views of the glove donning system illustratingthe conveyance assembly in the down and up positions respectively inaccordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 4C1 is a side view of the conveyance assembly in accordance with anaspect of the innovation.

FIG. 4C2 is a partial section side view of the conveyance assembly inaccordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 4C3 is a front view of a lifter screw motor of the conveyanceassembly in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 4C4 is a side view of the lifter screw motor of the conveyanceassembly in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 4C5 is a top view of the conveyance assembly in accordance with anaspect of the innovation.

FIG. 4C6 is a partial section top view of the conveyance assembly inaccordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIGS. 4D, 4E, and 4F illustrate alternate embodiments of lifters andtrack sets in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 4G illustrates an alternate embodiment of a lifter motor assemblyin accordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 4H illustrates an alternate embodiment of a lifter screw assemblyin accordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the glider assembly and the grabberassemblies of the glove donning system in accordance with an aspect ofthe innovation.

FIGS. 5B and 5C illustrate an alternate embodiment of a transverse motorsystem of FIG. 5A in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective unexploded and exploded viewsrespectively of the right grabber assembly of the glove donning systemin accordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIGS. 6C1-6C3 illustrate an alternate embodiment of a pinchertranslation driver in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the glove assembly in accordance with anaspect of the innovation.

FIG. 8A1 is a perspective view of a glove box assembly lid in accordancewith an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 8A2 is a perspective view of the glove box assembly base inaccordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 8A3 is a perspective view of the glove box assembly alignmentfixture in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 8A4 is an exploded perspective view of the glove box assembly inaccordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 8A5 is a perspective view of the glove box assembly in accordancewith an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 8A6 is a perspective view of the glove box assembly illustratinganother alignment fixture in accordance with an aspect of theinnovation.

FIG. 8A7 is an end view of a glove box assembly lid in accordance withan aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 8A8 is a perspective view of the glove box assembly assembled andincluding an exterior wrapper in accordance with an aspect of theinnovation.

FIG. 8B is a front view of the insert termination card in accordancewith an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 9A1 illustrates a side view card alignment assembly of the glovedonning system in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 9A2 is a plan view of a pin base of the card alignment assembly inaccordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 9A3 is a top view of a pin base of the card alignment assembly inaccordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 9A4 is a plan view of the card alignment assembly in the glovedonning system in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 9A5 is a side view of the card alignment assembly in the glovedonning system in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 9B is a perspective view of a sensor that senses a location of aglove assembly in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 10A is a side view of the glove box retention mechanism of theglove donning system in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 10B is a top view of the glove box retention mechanism in the glovedonning system in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 10C is a plan view of the glove box retention mechanism in theglove donning system in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 10D is a side view of the glove box retention mechanism in theglove donning system in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 10E is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the glove boxretention mechanism in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIGS. 11A through 11G are top views illustrating the glove donningsequence of the glove donning system in accordance with an aspect of theinnovation.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the glove donning system illustrating a glovebeing presented for donning in accordance with an aspect of theinnovation.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustration illustrating a glove donningsequence in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, whereinlike reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout.In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the subject innovation. It may be evident, however,that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. Inother instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in blockdiagram form in order to facilitate describing the innovation.

While specific characteristics are described herein (e.g., thickness,orientation, configuration, etc.), it is to be understood that thefeatures, functions and benefits of the innovation can employcharacteristics that vary from those described herein. Thesealternatives are to be included within the scope of the innovation andclaims appended hereto.

While, for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the one or moremethodologies shown herein, e.g., in the form of a flow chart, are shownand described as a series of acts, it is to be understood andappreciated that the subject innovation is not limited by the order ofacts, as some acts may, in accordance with the innovation, occur in adifferent order and/or concurrently with other acts from that shown anddescribed herein. For example, those skilled in the art will understandand appreciate that a methodology could alternatively be represented asa series of interrelated states or events, such as in a state diagram.Moreover, not all illustrated acts may be required to implement amethodology in accordance with the innovation.

The innovation disclosed herein dispenses and holds open a clean glove,allowing a user to don the glove without touching the outside of theglove, thus preventing possible contamination of the outside of theglove. Unlike a traditional glove box, the innovation also keeps otherstored gloves that are ready to be dispensed from becoming contaminated,as these gloves remain protected until ready to don.

FIG. 1A illustrates a glove donning system 10 contained within a housing11 and includes a conveyance assembly 12, a glider assembly 13, a powersource 14 (e.g., batteries, and/or an electrical line cord connected toan electrical source), and glove assemblies 15. FIG. 1A also illustratesa glove 16 with a glove cuff 17.

FIG. 1B discloses an alternative embodiment of a glove donning system 18with multiple adjacent track sets 19 which allow for dispensing of aselection of multiple glove 16 sizes and types or providing for a largercapacity of gloves 16. In this alternate approach, the right and lefttransverse gliders 20, 21 have independent right and left transverseglider motors 22, 23 and a fully threaded fixed lead screw 24 allowingthe right and left transverse gliders 20, 21 to move the full width ofthe fully threaded fixed lead screw 24 within the clearance boundariesimposed.

In alternate embodiments, the glove donning systems 10, 18 may beconfigured with multiple sets of grabber assemblies 69, 70 and gliderassemblies 13 operating within the same housing 11, and are configuredto retrieve and process at least two gloves 16 within the same donningsequence.

FIGS. 2A and 2C illustrate a side view and a perspective viewrespectively of the housing 11, which includes a housing opening 25disposed at the front of the housing 11. The housing 11 may also includea glove insert card collection area 30 and an openable panel 27 orpanels with a latch 28. In an alternate embodiment, the housing 11 maycontain a drawer 29, as shown in FIG. 2B. The housing 11 may alsoinclude ultraviolet lights 31 used to sanitize the inside of the housing11 and glove housing contents described further below. The housing 11may also include perimeter sensors 32 that can detect the presence of anobject penetrating the protected housing perimeter 11A defined by thehousing opening 25, including the space between the open doors 34.Detected intrusion by the perimeter sensors 32 stops all moving partsfor safety. The perimeter sensors 32 may be made from LEDs and receivingphoto sensors. The housing 11 may also include a door opening mechanism33 which opens and closes dual opposable doors 34 with at least one setof door hinges 35 per door 34. An alternative embodiment includes asingle door 34 that slides up, down or from the side. The housing 11 mayalso include doors 34 with door extensions 36, that when closed, fitinto a cutaway 37 in the top of the housing 11. An additionalalternative could have no doors 34 or partial doors 34. The housing 11may also contain a glove box retention shelf 38 supported between theglove insert card collection area 30 and the glove box base 144, toprevent the glove box base 144 from entering the glove insert cardcollection area 30. The glove donning system 10 includes a controlsystem 236, which may consist of electronic components, mechanicalcomponents, and/or software components, and may be in one or morelocations inside or outside of the glove donning system 10. The controlsystem 236 includes all items that cause the glove donning system 10 toinitiate and complete an action or task. The housing 11 may also containa control panel 40 that may include activation devices 41, RFID sensors46, and indicators such as dispensing lights 42, ready lights 43, gloveorientation graphics 44, and glove count displays 45. The control panel40 may be stationary or may be retractable. The activation device 41 isconfigured to transmit a signal to the control system 236 upon inputfrom a user of the system. The control system 236 is configured toactivate and control systems during the glove donning sequence.

Still referring to FIG. 2A, 2C and to FIGS. 3A-3E, the housing 11 mayinclude a maintenance door 26. The maintenance door 26 includes at leastone maintenance door hinge 47, and may include a glider assembly 13,right and left grabber assemblies 69, 70 and a frame 48. The maintenancedoor 26 allows for maintenance, glove box base 144 loading and increasedaccessibility to the inside of the glove donning system 10. Themaintenance door hinge 47 may be a zero clearance hinge.

FIGS. 3A through 3E illustrate a sequence of the maintenance door 26opening. FIG. 3A shows the dual front doors 34 and the maintenance door26 in the closed position. FIG. 3B illustrates the dual front doors 34in an open position. FIG. 3C illustrates the maintenance door 26 liftedup and clear of the front doors 34, thus allowing the maintenance door26 to rotate. FIGS. 3D and 3E illustrate rotating the maintenance door26 to the desired position, which may be flush with the back of thehousing 11. FIGS. 3D and 3E also show the card alignment assembly 172,which will be described in greater detail further below.

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C1-4C6 illustrate the conveyance assembly 12, which inone embodiment includes an insertion actuator 49 pivotally attached tothe housing 11 and pivotally attached to a lifter arm 50, a lifterbracket 51, a lifter screw motor 52, and a lifter rod or screw 53. Thelifter arm 50 includes a lifter arm stem 54 having a first end attachedto the rod or screw 53, and a second end attached to the insertionactuator 49, and a lifter arm pinned termination 55. The lifter arm 50is pulled towards the front of the housing 11 to raise the lifter screw53. The lifter screw 53 includes a track set 19, a lifter screw gear 56,a glove box stop ring 57, and a lifter screw shaft 58. The lifter screwgear 56 is engaged by a lifter screw motor gear 59 which rotates thelifter screw 53. A lifter motor anti-rotation bracket 60 extends fromthe lifter screw motor 52 to the lifter arm stem 54 to prevent thelifter screw motor 52 from rotating while the lifter screw motor gear 59drives the lifter screw 53. A lifter screw shaft 58 is rigidly connectedco-radially to the lifter screw 53 and passes through a lifter armbushing 61. The lifter arm pinned termination 55 holds the lifter armbushing 61 allowing the lifter screw 53 to rotate while providing arigid connection to the lifter arm 50 to raise and lower the lifterscrew 53. The lifter arm pinned termination 55 includes two opposedlifter arm pins 62 extending through the lifter bracket 51 and a lifterbracket side plate 63, creating a pivot point. The lifter arm 50 and thelifter screw 53 form a planarly rigid L-shaped bracket that pivots aboutthe lifter arm pins 62 allowing the lifter screw 53 to be raised when alifter insertion actuator 49 pulls on the lifter arm stem 54. A lifterscrew snap ring 64 fastens to the lifter screw shaft 58 to retain thelifter screw 53 in the lifter arm 50 and the lifter screw motor 52. Thelifter bracket side plate 63 fastens to the lifter bracket 51 andcontains a lifter arm pivot pin hole 65.

In an alternate embodiment, the lifter screw 53 may be raised andlowered in the manner of a block and tackle hoist activated by arotating motor.

The conveyance assembly 12 may also contain a glove box loading switch66 that includes a switch located in a position to indicate the correctloading of the back of the glove box base 144. When the switch isactivated by contact with or proximity to the glove box base 144, asignal is generated to notify the user that the glove box base 144 hasbeen positioned correctly.

FIG. 4D illustrates another embodiment in which the right and leftgrabber assemblies 69, 70 (also shown in FIG. 5A) are moved toward theglove 16 for pincher insertion rather the previously stated approach ofbringing the glove 16 toward the right and left grabber assemblies 69,70. Grabber insertion actuators 199 are affixed to right and lefttransverse gliders 84, 85 and the right and left grabber assemblies 69,70. The same effect can be achieved by fitting one or more grabberinsertion actuators 199 between any of the structures at any locationfrom pinchers 111 and grabbers 110 (shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B) back tothe housing 11 directly or through linkages.

In one embodiment, the track set 19 illustrated in FIG. 4C1 includes thethread surfaces of the lifter screw 53. The track set 19 cooperates withthe glove insert card alignment feature 135 of FIG. 7 comprising theedge of an aperture in the glove insert card 131, to convey the gloveassembly 15 to a ready position for the donning sequence. The gloveassembly 15 is described herein below.

In another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4E, the conveyance assembly 12includes a rod 191 having a smooth surface track set 192, as opposed toa threaded surface, to guide the glove assembly 15 to a ready positionfor the donning sequence by gravity and a retention bar 193.

In another embodiment, the track set 192 comprising a rod or rods 191supports the glove assembly 15, without conveyance, at the readyposition for the donning sequence with the rod or rods 191 being angled,curved, flat or any combination thereof.

In another embodiment, FIG. 4F illustrates a track set 195 that includesa pair of opposing conveyor belts 196 mounted on conveyors 194 thatcooperate with opposed glove insert card edge features 198 to convey theglove assemblies 15 to a ready position for the donning sequence.

FIG. 4G illustrates an alternate lifter motor assembly 231. Thealternate lifter motor assembly 231 includes a motor 206, a motor mount214, a motor shaft 208, a coupling 207, a screw 204, a nut 205, abracket 212, bracket pins 213, a trunnion pin 215, a trunnion 203, alifter arm 50A, a guide 209, flanges 211, and a linear bearing 210.

The alternate lifter motor assembly 231 replaces the pivotable insertionactuator 49. The motor 206 is fixedly attached to the motor mount 214.The motor shaft 208 is fixedly coupled to the screw 204 by a coupling207. The nut 205 cooperates with the screw 204 to translate when thescrew 204 rotates. The nut 205 is fixedly attached to the bracket 212,which is guided by the linear bearing 210 along the guide 209. Twobracket pins 213 on either side of the bracket 212 rotatably connect tothe trunnion 203, which is rotatably pinned to the lifter arm 50A withthe trunnion pin 215. Pulling or pushing motion is achieved by rotatingthe screw 204 with the motor 206. As the screw 204 rotates, the nut 205translates toward or away from the motor 206, forcing the lifter arm 50Ato follow.

FIG. 4H illustrates an alternate lifter screw motor assembly 232. Thealternate lifter screw motor assembly 232 replaces the lifter screwmotor 52 in FIGS. 4C1-4C6. The alternate lifter screw motor assembly 232includes a motor 52A, a motor shaft 227, a belt 202, a first pulley 225,and a second pulley 223. The motor 52A is fixedly attached to analternate lifter arm 50A. The first pulley 225 is fixedly attached tothe rotatable motor shaft 227 and the second pulley 223 is fixedlyattached to the lifter screw 53. The motor 52A drives the first pulley225 through the motor shaft 227, driving the belt 202 and the secondpulley 223, which drives the lifter screw 53.

FIG. 5A illustrates the glider assembly 13 which includes afront-to-back glider assembly 67 and the transverse glider assembly 68.FIG. 5A also illustrates the right and left grabber assemblies 69, 70.The front-to-back glider assembly 67 includes a front-to-back drivermotor 71 mounted to a housing side mounting plate 72, a front-to-backbelt 73, a front-to-back idler pulley 74, a front-to-back driver pulley75, and right and left front-to-back glider blocks 76, 77. The right andleft front-to-back glider blocks 76, 77 have a clearance through-hole 78through their length to allow the front-to-back glider shafts 79 to passthrough. Each through hole 78 is fitted with bushings or bearings 80co-radially mounted with the through holes 78 to facilitate low frictionmotion along the front-to-back glider shaft 79 direction. The front andback of each front-to-back glider shaft 79 is rigidly mounted to theglider frame 81, which is rigidly mounted to the housing 11.Front-to-back belt anchors 82 connect the front-to-back belt 73 to theright front-to-back glider block 76. Supported between the right andleft front-to-back glider blocks 76, 77 are two rigidly held transverseglider shafts 83.

The front-to-back driver motor 71 drives the front-to-back driver pulley75 which drives the front-to-back belt 73 supported by the front-to-backidler pulley 74. The front-to-back belt 73 is anchored to at least oneof the right or left front-to-back gliders 76, 77 and pulls thefront-to-back glider assembly 67 forward and back.

In an alternate embodiment, the glider assembly 13 positioning systemcould be or include a pair of articulated arms.

Mounted upon the transverse glider shafts 83 is the transverse gliderassembly 68 which includes a right and left transverse glider 84, 85.The right and left transverse gliders 84, 85 contain bushings orbearings 86 to facilitate low friction motion along the transverseglider shafts' 83 direction with clearance holes 87 through the rightand left transverse gliders 84, 85 to allow the transverse glider shafts83 to pass through. Mounted on the ends of the right and left transversegliders 84, 85 are the respective right and left grabber assemblies 69,70 and the right and left grabber assembly rotation motors 88, 89.

The transverse glider assembly 68 further includes a lead screw 90 thathas a thread 91 on one side and a reverse thread 92 on the other side,and a transverse driver assembly 93 which includes a transverse drivermotor 94 and a transverse driver gearbox 95. The right and lefttransverse gliders 84, 85 further include threaded and reverse threadedinserts 39, 96 that engage with the lead screw 90. Alternately, threadedholes 96A and reverse threaded holes 39A can be used instead of threadedand reverse threaded inserts 39, 96.

An alternate approach was previously disclosed in FIG. 1B using a fullythreaded fixed lead screw 24 and independent right and left transverseglider motors 22, 23.

The right and left transverse gliders 84, 85 are driven by thetransverse driver assembly 93. The transverse driver gearbox 95 isrotationally coupled to the lead screw 90 and is driven by thetransverse driver motor 94. Engagement of the thread 91 portion and thethreaded insert 96 and the reverse thread 92 portion and the reversethreaded insert 39 will cause the right and left transverse gliders 84,85 to move towards each other or away from each other when the leadscrew 90 rotates. The right and left transverse gliders 84, 85 haverotation holes 97 co-radially fitted with rotation bushings 98. Theright and left transverse gliders 84, 85 have rigidly attached right andleft grabber assembly rotation motors 88, 89.

FIGS. 5B and 5C illustrate another approach in which the transversedriver motor 94 and lead screw 90 have been replaced with a right andleft transverse motor and belt system 233. Because the right and leftmotor and belt systems are constructed and operate in mirrored fashion,this description will proceed with the understanding that the rightmotor and belt system descriptions will apply to the left motor and beltsystem descriptions in a mirrored fashion. For simplicity, only one ofthe two transverse glider assemblies 68 is shown.

The right motor and belt system 233 includes a belt 222, a drive pulley226, a motor 224, a motor shaft 229, a transverse glider block 230,right and left front-to-back glider blocks 76A, 77A, and an idler pulley228. The motor 224 is fixedly attached to the right front-to-back gliderblock 76A, and includes a rotatable motor shaft 229. The drive pulley226 is rigidly attached to the motor shaft 229. The belt 222 is rigidlyattached to the right transverse glider block 230 and cooperates withthe driver pulley 226 and idler pulley 228. The idler pulley 228 isrotatably fixed to the front-to-back glider block 77A. The motor shaft229 drives the drive pulley 226, which drives the belt 222, causing thetransverse glider block 230 to travel in the direction of the attachedbelt 222 movement. The belt 222 is supported by the idler pulley 228.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate the right grabber assembly 69, which includesa grabber assembly frame 99 with a rigidly attached grabber assemblyshaft 100 and dual grabber frame bearing flanges 101. The grabberassembly shaft 100 is fitted with a rigidly attached grabber assemblyrotation gear 102 after it is inserted through the rotation bushing 98.Also rigidly attached to the grabber assembly frame 99 are the pinchermotor 103 and the grabber raiser motor 104. The right and left slottedtube bearings 105, 106 are fitted to the grabber frame bearing flanges101.

Because the right and left grabber assemblies 69, 70 are constructed andoperate in a mirrored fashion, this description will proceed with theunderstanding that the right grabber assembly 69 descriptions will applyto the left grabber assembly 70 in a mirrored fashion.

The grabber assembly further includes a slotted tube 107 with an innerbore 108 and at least one transverse slot 109. The grabber 110 isrigidly attached to the slotted tube 107. The slotted tube 107 passesthrough the pincher 111 and is rigidly attached to the guide bar support116, and rotatably passes through the right and left slotted tubebearings 105, 106. A pincher slider bushing 113 is rigidly mounted inthe clearance bore 114 and rides over the slotted tube 107. A guide barbushing 115 is rigidly mounted in the pincher 111. The guide bar 112 isrigidly mounted in the guide bar support 116 and passes through theguide bar bushing 115 and rigidly terminates in the grabber 110. Theguide bar 112 is parallel to the slotted tube 107. A pincher drive screwfollower 117 rides inside the slotted tube inner bore 108. The pincherdrive screw follower 117 is threaded on the inside diameter and containsat least one transverse hole 118 joined with at least one pincher pin119 to the pincher 111. The pincher pin 119 may have an orientationfeature.

A pincher screw 120 inserts through the pincher screw right bearing 121,the pincher driven gear 122, and the slotted tube 107, and is supportedon the end by the pincher screw bushing 123 contained in the grabber110. The pincher screw right bearing 121 inserts into the right end ofthe slotted tube 107. The pincher drive screw follower 117 is threadedonto the pincher drive screw thread 124 and translates through the innerbore 108 when the pincher screw 120 rotates. The grabber driver gear 157is rigidly affixed to the grabber raiser motor shaft 125. A pincherdriver gear 126 is rigidly affixed to the pincher motor shaft 127.

The grabber belt 128 is driven by the grabber driver gear 157 and drivesthe grabber driven gear 142, which is rigidly attached to the slottedtube 107 and is contained between the grabber frame bearing flanges 101.The pincher belt 129 is driven by the pincher driver gear 126 and drivesthe pincher driven gear 122, which is rigidly attached to the pincherscrew head 130. The grabber 110 and pincher 111 are raised and loweredby the rotation of the slotted tube 107. The slotted tube 107 is rotatedby the grabber raiser motor 104 through the grabber driver gear 157,grabber belt 128, and grabber driven gear 142, and is supported by theright and left slotted tube bearings 105, 106.

The guide bar 112 rotates about the slotted tube 107 and maintainsgrabber 110 and pincher 111 alignment rigidity. The pincher 111translates along the slotted tube 107 and guide bar 112 moving away fromor towards the grabber 110. The pincher motor 103 drives the pincherdriver gear 126, the pincher belt 129, the pincher driven gear 122, andthe pincher screw 120. As the pincher screw 120 rotates, the pincherdrive screw follower 117 is forced to translate inside the slotted tube107 along the pincher drive screw thread 124 and pulls the pincher 111linked to the pincher drive screw follower 117 through the pincher pin119. The pincher pin 119 rides in the transverse slot 109 of the slottedtube 107, preventing rotation of the pincher drive screw follower 117relative to the slotted tube 107. Alternatively, the pincher pin 119 canbe any shape that will follow in the transverse slot 109.

The right grabber assembly rotation motor 88 is coupled to the grabberassembly rotation gear 102. Rotation of the right grabber assemblyrotation motor 88 rotates the grabber assembly rotation gear 102 andthen rotates the right grabber assembly 69.

FIGS. 6C1-6C3 illustrate an alternate pincher translation driver 234.The alternate pincher translation driver 234 includes a slotted tube107A, which contains a slot 109A. A follower 219 is mounted on thepincher 111A and is pushed in place by a spring 220, which is held inplace by a follower keeper plate 221. The follower 219 is threaded onthe pincher screw 120A side with a mating thread that cooperates withthe pincher screw 120A. The follower 219 is captive in the pincher 111A.Rotation of the pincher screw 120A drives the follower 219 along thepincher screw 120A, forcing the pincher 111A to follow.

FIG. 7 illustrates a glove assembly 15 which includes a glove insertcard 131 and a glove 16. The glove insert card 131 includes a gloveinsert card exposed (first) portion 132, a glove insert card insertion(second) portion 133, a glove insert card alignment feature 135, andglove insert card insets 136. The glove insert card 131 may also includea guide line 141 and one or more glove insert card tabs 134 and markings137. The glove insert card exposed portion 132 generally extends outfrom a glove opening 187 away from the glove 16 and is defined by areduced width portion formed by the glove insert card insets 136 betweenthe glove insert card exposed portion 132 and the glove insert cardinsertion portion 133. The glove insert card tab 134 may be centrallylocated adjacent to the glove insert card exposed portion 132, which mayextend above the glove insert card shoulder 138 and may be narrower thanthe rest of the glove insert card 131. The glove insert card perimeter139 may include rounded or sharp contours. The glove insert card 131 maycontain markings 137 to distinguish right and left orientation, glove 16placement, glove 16 count, and glove 16 description. The glove insertcard 131 may include markings 137, such as but not limited to symbols,text, shapes, cutouts, appliques, colors etc. The glove opening 187includes a glove opening perimeter 140 and is situated at the gloveinsert card inset 136, at the glove insert card guide line 141. Theglove 16 generally conforms to the glove insert card 131. Card edgecontrol points 189 may exist on the glove insert card perimeter 139 suchthat the card edge control points 189 are spaced sufficiently apart toprovide an alignment function illustrated in FIG. 7.

The glove 16 further includes a glove wrist 188 where the glove wrist188 is installed over the glove insert card 131 through the gloveopening 187 where the glove opening perimeter 140 conforms into the areaof the glove insert card insets 136.

FIGS. 8A1-8A8 and 8B disclose gloves 16 packaged in a glove container orbox 143 which includes a glove box base 144 and a box lid 145. A wrapper146 may enclose the glove box 143. In an alternative method, a seal mayinclude adhesively bonded tape or stickers sealing the box lid 145 tothe glove box base 144. The glove box 143 contains glove assemblies 15and one or more glove assembly alignment fixtures 147 cooperating withthe glove insert card alignment feature 135. Glove assembly alignmentfixtures 147 may be enclosed or semi-enclosed hollow tubular fixtures.In another example embodiment, glove assembly alignment fixtures 237that engage and align the glove assemblies 15 may be affixed to orincluded in the glove container. In one configuration, the box lid 145extends over the top and sides of the glove box base 144. The glove boxbase 144 has box cutaway portions 148 to allow access to the gloves 16.The box back 149 may have one or more alignment fixture supportfeatures, such as notched cutaways 150 at the top to accommodate orsupport the glove assembly alignment fixture 147. The box lid 145 mayhave box lid cutaways 151 to facilitate removal of the box lid 145 fromthe glove box base 144. One or more insert termination cards 152 withone or more alignment features 153 may be inserted in the front, back,or front and back of the glove box 143 to protect the gloves 16 duringbox handling, and to allow loading of the glove box 143 into the glovedonning system 10 in a front-to-back or back-to-front orientation. Theglove box 143 can be a container and/or a flexible covering such as abag or wrapper.

The glove assembly alignment fixture 147 may be an enclosed orsemi-enclosed hollow tubular fixture that maintains the alignment of theglove insert card alignment features 135 of the glove insert cards 131.During packaging, both ends of the glove assembly alignment fixture 147may be folded down towards the bottom of the glove box base 144 to allowthe box lid 145 to be placed over the glove box base 144 and the gloveassembly alignment fixture 147. Upon removal of the box lid 145, theuser may unfold the glove assembly alignment fixture 147 to allow theuser to slide the glove assembly alignment fixture 147 with accompanyingglove assemblies 15 and glove box base 144 over the lifter rod 53 andtrack set 19.

As the user slides the glove assembly alignment fixture 147 withaccompanying glove assemblies 15 and glove box base 144 over the trackset 19, the proper placement of the glove box base 144 may be signaledby the activation of the glove box loading switch 66. When the glove boxbase 144 is in the proper position, the user presses on the inserttermination card 152 and removes the glove assembly alignment fixture147, allowing the glove assemblies 15 to transfer onto the track set 19in the proper position. The insert termination card 152 is then removedby the user. The insert termination card 152 may have an alignmentfeature 153 and may contain insert termination card shoulders 154 oneither side. The insert termination card 152 may contain a fold-overportion 155 and a slit 156 from the alignment feature 153 to the edge ofthe fold-over portion 155 to facilitate removal from the track set 19.

In one approach, the glove insert card alignment feature 135 is one ormore apertures defined in the glove insert card 131, and the gloveassembly alignment fixture 147 may be one or more enclosed orsemi-enclosed tubular hollow fixtures. In another approach the gloveinsert card alignment feature 158 is shown as a pair of opposing insetson the glove insert card 160 and the glove assembly alignment fixture159 is a structure with opposing surfaces mating to the opposing gloveinsert card alignment features 158.

FIGS. 9A1-9A5 illustrate a glove donning system 10 containing a cardalignment assembly 172. The card alignment assembly 172 includes a cardalignment bar 161 having a proximate (first) end 161A attached to thehousing 11, a card alignment bar contactor 162 attached to a distal(second) end 161B of the card alignment bar 161, a card alignment framebracket 163, a card alignment transverse frame 164, a card alignmentshaft 165, a card alignment receiver bracket 166, a card alignment pin167, a rest 168, and one or more card alignment pin bases 169.

The pair of card alignment bars 161 may be positioned on either side ofthe track set 19. The card alignment bar contactors 162 extend below thecard alignment bars 161. The card alignment bar contactors 162 maintainglove insert card shoulder 138 alignment by resting on or near the cardedge control points 189. The card alignment bars 161 terminate into thecard alignment frame brackets 163.

The card alignment frame brackets 163 are rigidly connected by the cardalignment transverse frame 164. The card alignment shaft 165 is rigidlyconnected normal to the card alignment frame bracket 163 on one side ofthe housing. The card alignment pin 167 is connected normal to the cardalignment frame bracket 163 and is co-radial with the card alignmentshaft 165 in the opposing direction.

The card alignment receiver bracket 166 is rigidly connected to the cardalignment shaft 165, such that the card alignment shaft 165 extendsbeyond the card alignment receiver bracket 166, and is positioned toreceive the card alignment hinge contactor 170. When the maintenancedoor hinge 47 is rotated up, the card alignment hinge contactor 170pushes on the card alignment receiver bracket 166, rotating the cardalignment shaft 165, which raises the card alignment bars 161 andprovides access for maintenance and glove assembly 15 loading. When themaintenance door 26 is lowered, the card alignment hinge contactor 170rotates clear of the card alignment receiver bracket 166 and the cardalignment bars 161 rotate back to the rest position through the force ofgravity.

The card alignment pin base 169 includes an opening 171 defined thereinthat is adapted to accept a pin or shaft. The card alignment pin base169 is rigidly connected to the housing 11. One card alignment pin base169 is positioned on one end of the card alignment assembly 172 andaccepts the card alignment pin 167. Another card alignment pin base 169is positioned at the opposing end of the card alignment assembly 172 andaccepts the free end of the card alignment shaft 165. A rest 168 may bepositioned below the card alignment frame bracket 163 and is rigidlyattached to the housing 11, such that when the card alignment barcontactor 162 is in its fully down position, it rests at or near thecard edge control points 189. In an alternate approach, the cardalignment shaft 165 may be replaced with one or more card alignment pins167.

FIG. 9B illustrates a glove-in-place sensor 235. The glove-in-placesensor 235 includes a flag 201, a flag head 216, a flag tail 217 and asensor 218 that work together to signal that the front-most gloveassembly 15 is in position to begin contact with the right and leftgrabber assemblies 69, 70. The flag tail 217 is pinned to the cardalignment bar 161. When the glove assembly 15 passes the flag 201, theflag tail 217 rotates up and the flag head 216 rotates down andinteracts with the sensor 218 which signals that the next glove assembly15 is in position for the next operation.

FIGS. 10A-10D illustrates a glove box retention mechanism 173 whichincludes a right and a left glove box retention subassembly 174, 175which include an arm assembly 176, a top pulley 177, a bottom pulley178, a cable 179, a shaft 180, and may contain a cable idler 181. Thearm assembly 176 includes a base 182, a pin 183, a tension arm 184, aspring 185, and a contactor 186. Because the right and left glove boxretention subassemblies 174, 175 operate in a mirrored fashion onopposite sides of a glove box base 144 in the glove donning system 10,this description will proceed with respect to the right glove boxretention subassembly 174, with the understanding that it also appliesto the left glove box retention subassembly 175.

The shaft 180 is co-radial to the hinge pin 200 and is rigidly attachedto the maintenance door hinge 47 and the top pulley 177. The cable 179is rotationally coupled to the top pulley 177 such that the cable 179wraps around the circumference of the top pulley 177 as it rotates. Thecable 179 extends from the top pulley 177 down to the bottom pulley 178.The bottom pulley 178 face is orthogonal to the top pulley 177 face.

The cable 179 follows the circumference of the bottom pulley 178, thuschanging direction from a downward direction to a direction towards theglove box base 144, and terminates and is flexibly affixed to thetension arm 184 of the arm assembly 176. The tension arm 184 isrotatably pinned to the base 182. The spring 185 is affixed to the base182 and to the tension arm 184 pulling the spring 185 in tension. Acontactor 186 is attached to the end of the tension arm 184.

When the maintenance door 26 is raised, the maintenance door hinge 47rotates, rotating the shaft 180, which then rotates the top pulley 177.The cable 179 winds up around the top pulley 177 and slides over thebottom pulley 178, which pulls the tension arm 184 away from the glovebox base 144. When the maintenance door 26 is lowered, the tension islessened on the cable 179 and the spring 185 pulls the arm towards theglove box base 144, engaging the contactor 186 to the side of the glovebox base 144. When both the right and left contactors 186 press againstthe glove box base 144, the glove box base 144 deforms, thus preventingforward motion of the glove box base 144. When the tension arms 184 arepulled away from the glove box base 144, the glove box base 144 is freeto move forward and backward. As illustrated in FIG. 10E in an alternateembodiment, alternate friction arm assembly 176A prevents motion throughfriction with the glove box base 144.

Referring to FIG. 13 and also to FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A, 11A-11G, and 12 forreference, a method 1300 of glove donning in accordance with an aspectof the innovation will now be explained. As described herein, thedonning sequence and the front-to-back movement are accomplished by thefront-to-back glider assembly 67. The transverse movement isaccomplished by the transverse glider assembly 68. Further, therotational movement is accomplished by the right and left grabberassembly rotation motors 88, 89 coupled rotationally to the right andleft grabber assemblies 69, 70. The front-to-back glider assembly 67 isdriven by the front-to-back motor 71 or an equivalent displacementactuator such as a linear motor or air cylinder. The transverse gliderassembly 68, front-to-back glider assembly 67 and the right and leftgrabber assemblies 69, 70 all work in concert to position the gloves 16as described below.

In the method description below, since the right and left grabberassemblies 69, 70, the right and left transverse gliders 84, 85, and theright and left front-to-back glider blocks 76, 77 operate in a mirroredfashion on opposite sides of the glove 16 in the glove donning system10, the description below will proceed with respect to the right grabberassembly 69, the right transverse glider 84, and the right front-to-backglider block 76, with the understanding that it also applies to the leftgrabber assembly 70, left transverse glider 85, and left front-to-backglider block 77.

Thus, at 1302, the activation device 41 is activated by the user. At1304, the activation device transmits a signal to the control system236, and at 1306, the control system 236 initiates a glove donningsequence, as illustrated in FIG. 11. In other embodiments, useridentification approval (e.g., via RFID, etc.) can be required toactivate the glove donning system. At 1308, the right and left grabberassemblies 69, 70 are positioned with the pincher 111 and the grabber110 pointing down, and the right and left grabber assemblies 69, 70facing the glove assemblies 15. At 1310, the right and left grabberassemblies 69, 70 move towards the back of the glove donning system 10until the face of the pincher 111 engages the front face of the gloveinsert card exposed portion 132. This may be achieved by moving theglove insert card 131 forward or the right and left grabber assemblies69, 70 toward the glove insert card 131 or both, whereby sensors maydetermine correct positioning. In one embodiment, the lifter screw gear56 is engaged by a lifter screw motor gear 59 which rotates the lifterscrew 53, thereby moving the glove assemblies 15 forward to the correctposition. At 1312, once the pincher 111 and glove insert card 131 areengaged, the lifter screw (rod) 53 is raised, thus raising the gloveassembly 15, and at 1314, causing the pincher 111 to become insertedinto the glove insert card insertion portion 133, between the glove 16and the glove insert card 131. Alternatively, the right and left grabberassemblies 69, 70 or the grabber 110 and pincher 111 pair are loweredcausing the pincher 111 to insert in the glove insert card insertionportion 133, between the glove 16 and the glove insert card 131. At1316, the glove 16 is then pinched between the pincher 111 and grabber110 by translating the pincher 111 and grabber 110 together. At 1318,the right and left grabber assemblies 69, 70 move towards the front ofthe glove donning system 10 until the glove insert card 131 is free ofthe lifter screw 53 or track set 19. At 1320, the grabber 110 andpincher 111 raise from a vertical (downward) orientation to a horizontalorientation. At 1322, the right and left grabber assemblies 69, 70rotate towards the glove 16, causing the ejection of the glove insertcard 131 from the glove 16. At 1324, the glove insert card 131 dropsdown into the glove insert card collection area 30. At 1326, the rightand left grabber assemblies 69, 70 rotate generally 180 degrees fromtheir starting position towards the glove 16 until the right and leftgrabber assemblies 69, 70 are facing the front of the glove donningsystem 10 and whereby in the process at 1328, form a glove cuff 17 inthe glove 16. The depth of the glove cuff 17 is generally defined by thedepth of the grabbers 110 insertion into the glove cuff 17. The rightand left grabber assemblies 69, 70 may move transversely towards or awayfrom the glove 16 as needed to maintain required tension in the glove 16during the cuffing process. At 1330, the right and left grabberassemblies 69, 70 move in opposite directions away from the glove 16transversely to prepare the glove 16 for donning. At 1332, the pincher111 move away from the grabber 110, once sufficient tension is achievedin the glove cuff 17. At 1334, the right and left grabber assemblies 69,70 and glove 16 are extended to the donning position, and the gloveopening 187 is presented to the user, whereby the right and left grabberassemblies 69, 70 come to a complete stop. At 1336, the user inserts hisor her hand through the glove opening 187 and fully into the glove 16.Optionally, a ready light 43 may be used to indicate that the glove 16is ready for donning. At 1338, once the glove 16 is secure on the user'shand, the user removes the gloved hand from the glove donning system 10.Alternately, activating the activation device 41 with the user's otherhand will signal gloving completion and the grabber assemblies 69, 70will move to release the glove 16.

What has been described above includes examples of the innovation. Itis, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination ofcomponents or methodologies for purposes of describing the subjectinnovation, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that manyfurther combinations and permutations of the innovation are possible.Accordingly, the innovation is intended to embrace all such alterations,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes”is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term isintended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as“comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in aclaim.

What is claimed is:
 1. A glove packaging system comprising: a pluralityof glove assemblies including a glove and a glove insert card; and aglove container that houses the plurality of glove assemblies, whereinthe glove insert card is configured to hold a glove and includes anexposed portion disposed outside of the glove and an insertion portiondisposed inside of the glove, and wherein the exposed portion includesat least one glove insert card alignment feature.
 2. The glove packagingsystem of claim 1, wherein the glove insert card alignment featureincludes at least one aperture defined in the exposed portion.
 3. Theglove packaging system of claim 1, wherein the glove insert cardalignment feature is a pair of opposed edge features.
 4. The glovepackaging system of claim 3 further comprising a glove alignment fixturethat includes a structure with opposing surfaces mating to the opposededge features.
 5. The glove packaging system of claim 1, wherein theglove insert card includes a reduced width portion wherein the glove isretained on the glove insert card.
 6. The glove packaging system ofclaim 1, wherein the glove insert card includes at least one tab.
 7. Theglove packaging system of claim 1, wherein the glove insert cardincludes markings.
 8. The glove packaging system of claim 1, wherein theglove container is a glove box.
 9. The glove packaging system of claim1, wherein the glove container is a flexible covering.
 10. The glovepackaging system of claim 1, wherein the glove container includes atleast one glove assembly alignment fixture that cooperates with at leastone glove insert card alignment feature.
 11. The glove packaging systemof claim 10, wherein the glove assembly alignment fixture is a tube thatextends through the glove insert card alignment apertures in theplurality of glove assemblies.
 12. The glove packaging system of claim11, wherein the glove assembly alignment fixture is a structure withopposing surfaces mating to the opposing glove insert card alignmentedge features.
 13. A glove container comprising: a glove box including abase and a lid; a plurality of glove assemblies housed in the base; anda glove assembly alignment fixture that aligns the plurality of gloveassemblies in the base, wherein the plurality of glove assembliesinclude a glove and a glove insert card having an exposed portiondisposed outside the glove and an insertion portion disposed inside theglove, and wherein the exposed portion includes at least one gloveinsert card alignment aperture defined therein.
 14. The glove containerof claim 13, wherein the glove container is a glove box that includes atleast one cutaway portion to allow access to the glove assemblies. 15.The glove container of claim 13, wherein the glove container is a glovebox that is enclosed within a box wrapper.
 16. The glove container ofclaim 13, wherein the glove container includes one or more inserttermination cards disposed on the end of the plurality of gloveassemblies for support and protection.
 17. The glove container of claim16, wherein the insert termination cards include fold-over portions andalignment features.
 18. The glove container of claim 13, wherein theplurality of glove assemblies are packaged with the thumbs of all of thegloves oriented on the same side of the glove insert cards.
 19. Theglove container of claim 13, wherein the plurality of glove assembliesare packaged with the thumbs of the gloves oriented on alternate rightand left sides of the glove insert cards to allow right-hand andleft-hand glove donning in sequence.
 20. The glove container of claim13, wherein the glove assembly alignment fixture is a tube that extendsthrough the glove insert card alignment aperture in the plurality ofglove assemblies.
 21. The glove container of claim 13, wherein the glovecontainer includes at least one alignment fixture support defined in atleast one side of the glove box that receives one end of the glovealignment fixture.